NEW HARTLEY have regained the League Championship that they lost to Redheugh Boys Club last season and at the same time have become the first side to win the title twice.

And there can be few complaints as New Hartley have gone throughout the season unbeaten with 17 wins and three draws so far - three of those wins coming in the last week.

The vital game was away to West Denton who were the only team capable of catching them and New Hartley grabbed a crucial second half strike to come out on top in a five-goal thriller.

Hartley started by hitting Percy Main for six, grabbed that all important win at West Denton followed by another three-pointer at home to Walker Central.

And it was Stephen Sinclair who was the star of the show as he bagged goals in all three wins.

Sinclair scored twice in the 6-1 win at Percy Main as did Greg Young with Paul Bonner and Michael Stewart making up the tally while Dominic Elliott notched the Percy Main consolation goal.

It was a tougher affair at West Denton where it was honours even at the break with goals from Paul Watson and Greg Pleasant cancelled out by Mark Taylor and Kevin Gustard before Sinclair settled the issue with the all-important 3-2 second-half winner.

It was another second-half showing that won the day at home to Walker Central in what was a dress rehearsal for the Northumberland Youth Cup final.

The scoreline remained blank until the second period when Sinclair and Tom Veitch won the day for New Hartley.

The only question still to be resolved is whether Redheugh Boys Club or West Denton will claim the runners-up spot.

The Reds are currently holding down second place, four points ahead of West Denton who still have two games remaining, but must win them both to ensure the runners-up position. And it promises to be a tough task as Denton are away to New Hartley tomorrow evening.

West Denton warmed up for their final two games by bouncing back from their New Hartley disappointment by crushing League Cup winners Newcastle East End 5-1 with Damon Anderson helping himself to four of those goals.

Lee Garwood continued his excellent season with Denton's other goal while Paul Pescod responded for the Eastenders.

Consett's push for a top-four finish was boosted by a 3-0 win at Percy Main from where they returned home with the points following goals from Chris McGinn, Martin McKinney and Andrew Poole.

That County Cup final showdown between New Hartley and West Denton will take place at Benfield Park on Wednesday, May 16. * WARREN BARTON got his hands on a cup this week - but sadly it didn't mean the glory days had returned to Newcastle United. * Instead the Magpies' full-back was handing over the Fairs Software Junior Football League Cup to the victorious Newcastle East End side. * And the occasion was doubly special for team goalkeeper Daniel Thompson - not only was it his side's first piece of silverware but he also took the man-of-the-match award. * The cup was handed over at a special presentation on Newcastle's Quayside at which Fairs also announced a fourth year of sponsorship of the league.